Methods for using material from biodiesel production in hydrocarbon production and refining

Abstract

An oil or gas treating fluid is provided by processing the waste stream from biodiesel production. The waste stream may be used to treat for hydrate formation in hydrocarbon gas streams, to prevent or break oil and water emulsions formed in hydrocarbon streams, to prevent or remove scales in hydrocarbon streams and as an absorption medium for removing unwanted components of gas streams

1 . A method for preventing formation of gas hydrate in a hydrocarbon gas stream, comprising:
 adding an effective amount of oil or gas treating fluid separated from a biodiesel byproduct stream to the hydrocarbon gas stream.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adjusting pH of the treating fluid to a value greater than about 7 before adding the treating fluid to the hydrocarbon gas stream. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adjusting water content of the treating fluid before adding the treating fluid to the hydrocarbon gas stream. 
   
   
       4 . A method for demulsifying or preventing oil and water emulsions, comprising:
 adding an effective amount of oil or gas treating fluid separated from a biodiesel byproduct stream to the emulsion or to a stream that forms the emulsion.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising adding a surface active chemical to the emulsion or the stream that forms the emulsion. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising adjusting the pH of the treating fluid to a value greater than about 7 before adding the treating fluid to the emulsion or the stream that forms the emulsion. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising adjusting water content of the treating fluid before adding the treating fluid to the emulsion of to a stream that forms the emulsion. 
   
   
       8 . A method for preventing scale formation in a hydrocarbon stream, comprising:
 adding an effective amount of oil or gas treating fluid separated from a biodiesel byproduct stream to the hydrocarbon stream.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising adjusting pH of the treating fluid to a value greater than about 7 before adding the treating fluid to the hydrocarbon stream. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising adjusting water content of the treating fluid before adding the treating fluid to the hydrocarbon gas stream. 
   
   
       11 . A method for removing scale from a pipe or apparatus containing a hydrocarbon stream, comprising:
 injecting an effective amount of oil or gas treating fluid separated from a biodiesel byproduct stream into the pipe or apparatus so as to contact the scale and removing the treating fluid from the pipe or apparatus.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising adjusting pH of the treating fluid to a value greater than about 7 before injecting the fluid into the pipe or apparatus. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising adjusting water content of the treating fluid before injecting the fluid into the pipe or apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . A method for removing carbon or sulfur compounds from a gas stream, comprising:
 contacting the gas stream with an oil or gas treating fluid separated from a biodiesel byproduct stream and separating the treating fluid from the gas stream.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising adjusting pH of the treating fluid to a value greater than about 7 before contacting the gas stream with the treating fluid. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 16  wherein adjusting the pH to a value greater than about 7 is provided by adding an amine to the treating fluid. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising adjusting water content of the treating fluid before contacting the gas stream with the treating fluid.